Big win ensures cup progress at Eastleigh
AFC Bournemouth
- Attendance:
- 0
AFC Bournemouth win through to the next round of the Hampshire FA Cup after beating Eastleigh Women 7-1 on Sunday.
Meg Vella's first-half hat-trick was part of a stunning opening salvo, the Cherries 6-0 up at the break, with a Rebecca Miles brace and strikes from Rosie Eden and Hannah Bennett doing further damage against the Spitfires.
The win sets up a mouthwatering tie for the Cherries away at Southampton FC in the next round of the Hampshire FA Cup.
The away side were ahead inside 60 seconds at Wide Lane, Miles there to convert after Eastleigh 'keeper Lauren Medhurst was unable to hold onto a Erin Thickett shot from range, and Thickett nearly made it two a few minutes later but was just unable to reach Vella's centre.
Vella did score a second, and ensured the Cherries' ascendancy was reflected on the scoreline, when she scored twice in quick succession in the ninth and 12th minutes, both times there to tap home and make the most of Thickett's two pieces of good build-up play.
Medhurst saved well from Katie Kingshott, but then just past the half hour Emma Davis and Eden combined well with Eden able to get away a fine 20-yard effort that found the back of the net.
As half time approached a fifth and sixth were added, first Miles doubled her tally as she chipped over the 'keeper before Bennett saw a free-kick deflect home and end a resounding half on a high.
Into the second period and after a quiet opening, Vella completed her hat-trick with the goal of the game; a 25-yard strike that gave the 'keeper no chance and increased the Cherries' advantage to a magnificent seven.
Inside the final ten minutes, Eastleigh grabbed a consolation through Leah Shave's superb free-kick, but there was no denying the visitors' superiority as the final whistle blew.